500 Som

The 2005 series marked a consolidation of Kyrgyzstan's post-Soviet currency identity, more than a decade after the som was introduced in May 1993 to replace the Soviet ruble. The 500 som was the highest denomination in circulation at the time of issue, a position it held until larger denominations were added in subsequent years as inflationary pressure gradually eroded its purchasing weight.

Printed on cotton substrate with a security thread and watermark — modest by contemporary central bank standards, but consistent with what a small-economy issuer could practically commission at the time.